Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 2, 1995 TAG: 9505020126
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KATHY LOAN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Phil Keith, the Democratic incumbent, was finishing a day in Montgomery County Circuit Court as Thorpe outlined his qualifications in a courthouse press conference.
Thorpe never mentioned Keith's name and sidestepped questions about whether his candidacy was an indictment of Keith's ability to lead the office for another four years.
"I am simply offering myself as a choice to the voters. ... I am simply presenting what I think are my strengths," Thorpe said.
Thorpe, 48, made his formal announcement to about 25 supporters and onlookers, pledging that if he secures the Democratic nomination and becomes the county's next chief prosecutor, he would provide efficient leadership that would cooperate with other county government agencies and groups to fight crime and keep Montgomery a desirable county in which to live.
"I've thought about this long and hard. ... It has not been an easy decision but I think it's the right decision," he said.
Thorpe said police and residents cite juvenile crime and drugs as escalating concerns, fearing that Roanoke's big-city problems are creeping southwest to growing Montgomery County.
Citing the recent example of a Blacksburg High School student caught bringing an unloaded handgun onto school property, Thorpe said, "Schools must be a safe haven, a safe place for education."
To address the crime concerns, Thorpe proposed that "the best approach is through good cooperation" among law enforcement, government officials and community leaders. The leadership for that cooperation must come from the commonwealth's attorney, Thorpe said.
"I am ready to be a watchdog for justice," Thorpe said, adding that he has the necessary experience to carry off the job.
Thorpe has been county attorney since 1984. Before coming to Montgomery County, he was Bedford's part-time city attorney for 11 years, and was an assistant commonwealth's attorney for Bedford from 1973-1976.
Among those attending Thorpe's announcement were Ira Long and Jim Moore, Democratic members of the Board of Supervisors. Long said he was supporting Thorpe. "I think Roy will be an excellent candidate and do an excellent job. I don't think there's anybody in the county who could do better," said Long, who was on the board when Thorpe was hired as county attorney. Long said he would support whoever wins the Democratic nomination.
County Democrats will hold a mass meeting June 3 to nominate candidates for constitutional officers and the Board of Supervisors. The Republicans meet May 20. Joey Showalter, a Christiansburg resident who is a member of the Radford law firm Stone, Harrison, Turk and Showalter, is seeking the Republican nod to run for commonwealth's attorney.
Moore was noncommittal. He said he'd hate to lose Thorpe as the county's attorney and that Keith "has done a good job. I think he's been an effective commonwealth's attorney."
The salary for the commonwealth's attorney is $84,000 a year; for county attorney, $64,000.
Keith said Thorpe had told him of his plans to seek the office, and of his plan to keep the focus on his qualifications. He called Thorpe a "good friend."
Keith said in March, when Thorpe's candidacy was first rumored, that he was aware there was a "whisper campaign" among some who think he is not healthy enough to run a vigorous campaign or to run his office for another four years. Keith has had two brain tumor surgeries since 1992, but says he is feeling well and ready for the rigors of a campaign.
To a lesser degree, there also has been speculation that Keith's decision four years ago to back Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, in his successful bid for the House of Delegates may be a sticking point with longtime party faithful.
Keith was appointed commonwealth's attorney when J. Patrick Graybeal was appointed juvenile and domestic relations judge in 1989. He had been Graybeal's assistant for 11 years.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB